Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly condemned a planned attack by armed Jamaat-e-Islami activists on its leaders, activists and civilians during an election campaign in Pabna’s Ishwardi on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party said more than 50 of its leaders and activists were injured in the attack and are receiving treatment.

The statement alleged that Abu Taleb Mandal, the local candidate for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atghoria) nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, personally led the attack. It said Jamaat leaders and activists used religious appeals and controversial tactics, including “selling tickets to heaven,” as part of their campaign.

When people protested, Jamaat activists allegedly attacked them violently.  Later, BNP’s leaders and activists who were campaigning peacefully, were also attacked without provocation, added the statement.

It said a photograph published in Daily Manab Zamin shows a Jamaat activist, Tushar, attacking with a firearm.

The party, however, claimed some media outlets deliberately reported misleading news to divert attention from the incident, and said the attack exposed the extremism of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The BNP reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful political practice and maintaining a safe electoral environment. “It would not be right to interpret BNP’s restraint, despite millions of supporters, as weakness,” the statement reads.

It said the party is determined to show patience even in the face of provocation to safeguard the democratic process in the upcoming national election.

BNP has demanded government action to identify the real culprits and bring them to justice through a fair investigation, while ensuring a peaceful environment for the next election.

Earlier, clashes broke out multiple times on Thursday between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists in Char Gorgori area of Sahapur Union of Ishwardi.